Yobs have buzzed around on stolen mopeds, damaged police vehicles and set fire to bins, with gangs intimidating locals.

Now the force have an ‘eye in the sky’, using a drone over the area as part of the ongoing Operation Smoke - which also involves officers and colleagues from Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade and housing groups.

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Intelligence gathering is at the heart of the drone activity, and Temporary Sgt Steve Hodgson said the operation, which started in mid-May, aims to improve quality of life for the law-abiding majority of Grove Hill residents: “We have had some great successes so far - vehicles seized for having no insurance or for being suspected stolen, numerous people reported for summons for cycling or driving offences, arrests for various crimes including public order, assaulting a police officer, possessing offensive weapons and criminal damage among others.

“We continue to work with our partners and in terms of housing we have worked with Thirteen Group to make sure that problem tenants and families are removed from their houses.

“Residents should be assured we will continue this operation as long as necessary and that they should continue to report concerns to us so that we can take action.

“Using the drone is an extremely valuable additional tool in our on-going fight against crime . Criminals should be aware we have been watching them and they could expect us to knock on their door to speak to them about their activity.

“Finally, we do rely heavily on the community to provide us with information on who is committing crime or drug dealing. I’d like to thank Grove Hill residents for getting on board with this operation and the feedback I’m receiving is that our efforts are very much appreciated.”

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This moped was stolen recently in an incident at Eastbourne shops (Image: Handout)

There was “a high level of police presence” on the estate last week, while a male was reported for a public order offence and another was arrested for attempting to cause criminal damage to a police vehicle.

Only weeks ago, another police car patrolling Thorndyke Avenue and Deepdale Avenue was targeted - it had its window smashed.

(Image: Handout)

In previous weeks, wheelie bins have been stolen and set on fire - “not just a bit of fun,” say local neighbourhood officers, but costly and potentially dangerous.

Other youths have been arrested, while the force even put in place dispersal orders - which gives officers the power to tell gangs to move on from a certain area.

It comes after The Gazette reported in May how a male was issued with a civil injunction in order to protect the community - a court order which places sanctions on those behaving badly, demanding positive actions to address underlying reasons for their behaviour.